Local Government Tax Rates and Assessments 2011

Local Govt Statistics (Excel Downloads)

---

Schedule701_2011.xls (54 KB)Assessed Values

---

Schedule702_2011.xls (229 KB)Tax Rates

---

Schedule703_2011.xls (57 KB)Total Taxes & Charges

---

Schedule704_2011.xls (85 KB)Taxes & Charges on a Representative House

---

Schedule707_2011.xls (391 KB)Tax Burden

Cashing In On A Lot Of Bad Drivers - Area communities get traffic fine grants

Betty Selin 7/5/2011 105.7 SUNFM

---

The province is busy today returning money collected by traffic officers. Vernon, Lumby, Coldstream and the Regional District of North Okanagan will be receiving Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) grants. Funds come from the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing program (TFRS) and Small Community and Regional District Grants (SCG).  The Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing program helps municipalities that directly pay for police enforcement costs. The grants come from ticket fines and court-imposed fines on violation tickets, and the amount of money a municipality receives is based on its contribution to total municipal policing costs.  This money will provide additional funding for local policing services and crime prevention programs.  Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster says, "By re-investing money, funding from programs like SCIF and TFRS give communities the freedom to spend money on projects and priorities of their choosing."  Below are the total grants.
   
District of Coldstream: $305,828 (SCG), $43,229 (TFRS), for a total of $349,056.
Village of Lumby: $296,559 (SCG)
City of Vernon: $492,914 (TFRS)
Regional District of North Okanagan: $138,026 (SCG)
-------------------
[PDF]

NEWS RELEASE BACKGROUNDER www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/downloads/BG_SCIF_June_2011.pdf

 

Don Quixote Note: Vernon budgeted to receive   $578,173 in 2011 (P.20 of 2011-2015 Financial Plan. - 15.60MB ). On March 30 Vernon got a first installment of $310,285 with indications that "A second instalment which should be larger than this first one" This additional $492,914 brings the total Vernon amount to $803,199. (Surplus of $225,026 over original revenue budget of $578,173 should flow into the Police Reserve Account.

Property Taxes Due By Midnight

Click on to Animate

Rebecca Barton 105.7 SUNFM7/4/2011

---

Just hours until the deadline to get those property taxes in. City Finance Manager Kevin Burtles (sic) says City Hall in Vernon is accepting cheques until midnight tonight. Burtles says there's been a steady stream of traffic at city hall all day. He says online payment options are also available but after midnight at 10% penalty will apply.

Questions remain unanswered

Published: June 05, 2011 1:00 AM Morning Star  (Letter to Editor)

Most taxpayers have now received their property tax bill for the year along with a tax information sheet attempting to mislead the taxpayer with “improving liveability” and “infrastructure sustainability,” and of course no reference to the $200 increase in the Homeowner Grant by the provincial government to help lower the bottom line.  On March 14 several concerned citizens attended the city council meeting and gave input on the 2011 Financial Plan.  Many questions were put to the council regarding such matters as annual shortfall in infrastructure spending of $2.5 million, spending on non-essential infrastructure projects, excessive salaries and excessive administrative staff hiring.  Other concerns were lack of infrastructure in the Okanagan Landing while non-essential projects were being pursued in the city, the fact that our taxes are the second highest in the Okanagan Valley and that the city has failed to address the systemic problems it has created and the need for a value for money audit.

This council, that claims it is open and transparent, gave no explanations for its conduct, many questions remain unanswered, and many answers from the treasurer were not worth the paper they were written on.  The taxpayers are being poorly served by this council and this administration, and the city is in a financial mess.  Financial management and planning at the city is just part of the problem. The relationship with the regional district and Greater Vernon is at an all time low and the sharing of costs (O’Keefe Ranch, Economic Development, Tourism, and Fire Dispatch) is virtually non-existent to the detriment of the Vernon taxpayer.  This council is also answerable to us for the increases that have taken place via the Regional District 2010 – garbage collection cost up 25 per cent, recycling up 50.5 per cent, 2011 water up 23 per cent.

Barry Beardsell, Vernon  (Posted with permission of Author)

Tax Freedom Day in B.C. on june 6

Free Download(s):

Canadians Celebrate Tax Freedom Day on June 6, 2011

 http://www.fraserinstitute.org/tools/personal-tax-calculator.aspx 

Tax Rates 2011 Vernon and Coldstream

• Tax Rates - 28Kb (VERNON)

2011 Tax Rates Coldstream)

Capital works Project

• 30 Avenue - 27 Street to Railway

  2011 Road Reconstruction Capital Project - Awarded to CGL Contracting Ltd.
  Start Date: Tuesday, July 5, 2011 (Estimated)
  Completion Date: Friday, October 7, 2011 (Estimated)
  

2011 Road Reconstruction Capital Project - Awarded to CGL Contracting Ltd.
30^th Avenue from 27^th Street to the railway track will be upgraded and will include new sidewalks, curbs, street lights and landscaping and will also include the replacement of some underground utilities.  As part of the project, and in cooperation with development projects being constructed on 28^th Street, some of the existing overhead wiring in the area will be placed underground.  The exact scope of the underground wiring is dependent on final costs, but will include 30^th Avenue from just east of 27^th Street to the west side of the railway track as well as north and south on 28^th Street from 30^th Avenue.

• Original Tender Drawings -Landscaping
• Original Tender Drawings
• Proposed Construction Schedule

BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Loosening the belt

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 18, 2011 1:00 AM
Vernon officials have been singing the budgetary blues — that residents have been hit hard by the recession and now is the time to ease back on spending.  But the May 9 council meeting told a far different story.  It all started when the politicians approved an extra $21,000 for renovations at the former Lakers clubhouse on Cummins Road. Apparently, the original $60,000 wasn’t enough to cover electrical and heating problems missed during the building inspection. A kitchen will also be installed. The goal is to convert this space into a community hall where recreational programs, weddings, meetings and other activities can be held.  One has to wonder, though, if it will draw crowds or will it mirror the largely vacant and heavily subsidized Vernon Recreation Complex auditorium. Is there an actual return on investment?  Obviously bringing summer camps and after-school programs closer to Okanagan Landing kids makes sense, but was Paddlewheel Park Hall considered as an option? That would support the activities of the non-profit Okanagan Landing Community Association while not burdening taxpayers with long-term operating and capital costs. Renting Lakers out for special events could also generate competition for Paddlewheel Park Hall.  Hands were also raised May 9 for $3,883 so the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra can perform at Polson Park July 1.  Yes, culture feeds the soul and obviously Canada’s 144th birthday is something to celebrate.  But I can’t shake the image of Marie Antoinette in her powdered-wig as those who can’t make ends meet or struggle to find employment gather in the park to listen to the classics.  The $3,883 is on top of the $3,570 the city has already committed to symphony operations this year. Given that, you wouldn’t  expect OSO to hit up the city for more to perform.  It’s also rather ironic that the same politicians  who want to promote cultural experiences for the public have been ignoring the inadequate  conditions at the museum and art gallery for years.

City officials undoubtedly will argue the money for the clubhouse and the concert is coming from reserves  and not directly impacting taxpayers’ bottom line.  But consider that reserves are like your personal savings account. If you keep dipping into  it, eventually the ability to tackle emergencies is gone.  To replenish reserves takes money and that largely comes from taxes, so residents are ultimately left picking up the tab.  Reserves bolstered by casino funds can be seen as an endless source of cash but given the provincial government’s lust for money, there’s no guarantee the city will always have that revenue source to access. Use it wisely while it still exists.  Members of Vernon council were quick to leave the public with the impression that the 2011 budget is a document dedicated to restraint and running as lean an operation as possible.  But it appears like the belt has already been loosened a couple of notches.
----------------
Don Quixote Note: The Lakers Clubhouse was an approved SLA P.147 (Of Financial Plan) 2011-2015 Financial Plan. - 15.60MB   for a net of $57,000.  ($60,000 for renovations to bring it up to a usable condition less $3000 worth of expected yearly revenue) (Passed by 6-1 vote). This time the additional $21,000 to complete the Kitchen ($16,000) and finalize the outer grounds landscaping ($5,000) described on p.69 of Agenda Package  was passed 5-0. (In for a penny, in for a pound).

Bike paths, sidewalks funded

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 15, 2011 1:00 AM
A major infusion of cash is being directed towards attempts to have Vernonites abandon their cars. City council has authorized $600,000 from reserves for construction of 15 sidewalk, bicycle and multi-use path projects.  “The projects were identified in the official community plan and the transportation plan,” said Amanda Watson, a transportation technician.  “We are creating a realistic alternative to the vehicle.” Six of the projects involve sidewalks, including $170,000 for Okanagan Avenue from South Vernon Road to the Cliffs complex.  A further $104,531 will be spent on sidewalks for 36th Street from Okanagan Avenue to Mission Hill Elementary School.  Five of the projects will see bicycle lanes created, including the widening of the Mission Road shoulder for $96,000.  “There is only shoulder on the side of the road,” said Watson, adding that the project will extend to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre.  “This will be an area for pedestrians and cyclists.”  Funds will also go towards three multi-use trails.  The largest project will be $50,000 for a cross-walk on 39th Avenue, at the curling club, which will connect to a trail. A further $25,875 will be spent on a trail on Marshall Road from Cummins to Lakeshore roads, while $1,000 is geared towards signage. One goal of the initiative is to improve signs in school zones. “We need to highlight to drivers to slow down,” said Watson.
-------------

2011 Capital Projects

Don Quixote Note: This $600,000 was put into reserves as part of the 2011 budget for Capital Reserves.The 3 TDM amounts shown in the budget totaling $800,000 for Sidewalks, Cycling & Trails was actually reduced to a total of $600,000 and this is the reserve that is referred to in the article. The extra $200,000 was actually put into a Transit Reserve which helped pay for the extra UBCO bus. ($100,000). The City's CFO will make the required changes to the Capital Projects list to reflect this.

Furthermore there are 2010 carryover amounts of:

• $5,542  Sidewalks
• $121,372 Cycling
• $57,838 Trails 

That will be used  for other TDM Projects as required.

Also the first project on the list (29th St. Phase 2) (Polson Greenway) is a TDM DCC project that is paid for by DCC's at the rate of 47%. ($905,440), $344,080 for sewer ratepayers & $1,062,907 by Taxpayers.

Lots of Calls About Lakers Site

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM  Monday, 09 May 2011 18:20

Vernon council will spend 81-thousand dollars to get the former Lakers clubhouse open. That includes an extra 21 grand for overruns on heating and power issues on the CumminsRoad site in Okanagan Landing.  Mayor Wayne Lippert calls it money well spent, as the facility will get used.  "Dous Ross, our manager for parks and recreation, has been overwhelmed by people wanting to use that space." Ross says they've got people wanting to rent the building for weddings, and it will also be used for summer kids programs, and an open house will be held in June.
---------------
 Don Quixote Note:
The Lakers Clubhouse was an approved SLA P.147 (Of Financial Plan) 2011-2015 Financial Plan. - 15.60MB   for a net of $57,000.  ($60,000 for renovations to bring it up to a usable condition less $3000 worth of expected yearly revenue) (Passed by 6-1 vote). This time the additional $21,000 to complete the Kitchen ($16,000) and finalize the outer grounds landscaping ($5,000) described on p.69 of Agenda Package  was passed 5-0. (In for a penny, in for a pound).

2011 Taxes on Average Vernon House (Valued $340,976)

All 3 of the calculators with links below are available for your use. Put your 2011 assessment values in the calculators and see how your property compares.

Vernon Taxes for Average Home 2011 (D.Q. Calculator)

Coldstream  Taxes for Average Home 2011 (D.Q. Calculator)

• City Of Vernon Tax Calculator

• City of Kelowna Tax Calculator

• Don Quixote Tax Calculator (Vernon & Coldstream)

1. Vernon Taxes on Average House: $2,152.37
2. Kelowna Taxes on Average House: $2,102.29
3. Coldstream Taxes on Average House: $1,927.49

Kelowna Taxes for Average Home  vs 2010 (Kelowna Calculator) 

Vernon Taxes for Average Home  vs 2010 (Vernon Calculator)

TDM Projects to be reviewed Monday Council Meeting

Regular Open Council Meeting Start Time: 1:30pm - May 9, 2011

• Agenda Index 
• Agenda Package  (TDM Report P.173-178)
• BUDGET IMPLICATIONS: (P.175)
  No new City funding is required to support this request as 100% of the funding is being requested from existing reserves allocated for TDM projects.

2011 Vernon Tax Calculator now online.

Property Tax Estimator  

Don Quixote Note: You will need your assessment values (Land & Improvements) from both 2010 and 2011. You should do 2 calculations.

• Use the same values from 2010 and plug in same totals in 2011.  This will show you how much your taxes are increasing (or decreasing) due to the taxes imposed by the various bodies. (Municipal, school, hospital, Library Nord etc.
• Plug in your 2010 assessment and actual 2011 assessment and this will give you the correct amount for taxes owing in 2011.  (The difference between this and your previous calculation is due to your assessment value increase or decrease.

Final budget approved by City Council

from City of Kelowna - Current News Releases

Municipal tax increase of 2.47 %

Kelowna City Council approved a 2011 municipal tax increase of 2.47 per cent on Monday, resulting in an additional cost of $39 for the owner of an average $484,000 single-family Kelowna home. However, the typical homeowner will actually pay 6.9 per cent less in overall taxes compared to 2010. The lower overall tax rate results from a slight decrease in the school tax levy for 2011 and a $200 increase in the annual Homeowner Grant for British Columbians living outside the Lower Mainland. "This budget allows the City to continue to fund necessary services and infrastructure while remaining mindful of the tax impact on property owners," says Keith Grayston, Financial Services Director. The overall tax impact on the average business is a 0.9 per cent increase for 2011. Property taxation will provide $97 million of the City's overall $412 million budget. Municipal taxation funds police and fire services, supports expansion of the Kelowna Family Y, construction of a new activity centre at Parkinson Recreation Park, parkland acquisition and development, environmental protection, and expansion of Kelowna's transit and bike network. Comprehensive information about City of Kelowna 2011 budget is available at kelowna.ca/budget.

Tax hike edges on 2.5%

Wayne Moore - CASTANET Apr 29, 2011 / 12:00 pm
Kelowna taxpayers can expect to see a larger than expected increase when they receive their 2011 tax bill in the mail.  City Council will be asked to approve the final 2011 municipal budget which includes a 2.47 per cent tax increase over 2010.  If approved, the average municipal tax bill will come in at just under $1,700, an increase of $39.  Back in December, council was presented with a preliminary budget which included a 1.98 per cent increase. Following budget deliberations, council approved a provisional budget with a 2.05 per cent increase.  One of the main reasons for the additional increase is a decrease in revenues from new construction.  Based on the revised assessment roll, the municipality expects to take in $207,500 less in taxation from new construction in 2011.  Council will deliberate the final budget Monday.

Item 6.1 - 2011 Financial Plan, Final Budget.pdf (352kb) (2011-04-28)   

Tax Calculator 2011 Prelim and other Info re property Taxes

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AqjuHhD4a7O5dGRuTEJOX1NTWWZzWEpuMHFNckFFSmc&hl=en#gid=0

The City of Vernon has not yet put their tax calculator online. The tax rates for 2011 have been established and approved and will be posted on the City's website shortly.

The tax calculator at the above link is an interactive spreadsheet where you can put your assessment data in for either Residential, Business or Farm classification and it will calculate 2011 taxes by category.

The 2011 rates for School, MFA, & BC Assessment are not yet available to me yet so these sections will be updated when the City puts them up on their calculator.  (The rates used are 2010 rates).

------------------------
Remember that the Home Owners Grants that you may be eligible for are not part of this calculator. An additional $200 for Northern and rural residents (That included all eligible Vernon Residential Taxpayers) was provided this year. Farm classification also are eligible for a 50% rebate on School taxes starting this year.

  I turn 65 years old after the property tax due date. Can I apply for the additional grant?
Yes. You qualify for the additional grant as long as you turn 65 during the current calendar year. ( In addition to the basic grant of $570, the additional grant can reduce your property tax by a further $275, for a total of up to $845 in 2010.  ($1045 in 2011 ??))

Property Tax Deferment Programs

-----------

Calculator is in beta version. Please bring any errors to my attention by submitting a comment.

Armstrong Property Owners To Face Three Percent Hike In Taxes - Lumby, Enderby councils give third readings to zero budgets

Kate Bouey & Betty Selin 105.7 SUNFM 4/19/2011

---

Armstrong residents are facing a three percent property tax increase this year. City council held a special public meeting Monday to go over the figures. ``The municipal portion of the taxes in Armstrong will see an increase of $19.29 to the average assessed home of $310,000,'' explains Mayor Chris Pieper. He says two percent will be spent on infrastructure and another one percent on operating costs. ``It was a pretty tough struggle to do that but when you look at the reality of increases in fuel, energy and all those other things...they're impacting all of us,'' says Pieper. Armstrong's funding of the joint Parks and Recreation function is jumping 28 percent, from $346,000 last year to $444,900 this year. The mayor concedes that that is a big chunk of the tax increase. Council is expected to give third reading to the 2011 finanacial plan next week.

Some other local councils appear to have succeeded in their quests for zero spending this year. Village of Lumby Mayor Kevin Acton says council gave third reading to its zero budget Monday night. There was a similar occurence at Enderby council on Monday where no tax increase is forecast. Treasurer Geri Ferguson says city spending levels will remain at the same level as last year. Ferguson says municipal officials are seeking grants for some projects, including for more water metering. She says money is being used from reserves for water, sewer and storm upgrades to four blocks of Highway 97A. The budget is expected to be adopted on May 2nd.

Finance Meeting Thursday April 14

 Finance Committee

• Agenda Package - Thursday, April 14, 2011 - 1:30pm  

http://www.vernon.ca/images/uploads/council/committees/110414.pdf

---------------------
P.61-63   Review of Questions re 2011 Budget and Financial Plan. (These are a series of questions from Coun. Spiers to the Finance Department on March 20 and requested again on April 8 that will be reviewed at the Finance meeting. )


Media and public welcome at any and all Committee Meetings.

Coldstream tax rate takes sudden spike

Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 13, 2011 1:00 AM
Coldstream taxpayers will have to shell out a few more dollars than originally anticipated for 2011. Originally the district had planned for a 0.7 per cent tax rate increase, but now the number has nearly doubled to 1.35 per cent. “It was really a surprise,” said Coun. Maria Besso, after district staff presented the rate which is necessary to cover a drop in assessment values. “We expected a certain assessment and what happened is that number came in $7.3 million shy.” The tax rate works out to an additional $14.50 on the average home (assessed at $458,000 in Coldstream). That is up $4.50 from the original rate, which worked out to $10. “In reality you’re talking about a very small number of dollars per household,” said Besso.  The tax increase is necessary in order to achieve the same revenue targets in the financial plan. Council did have the option to go back to the drawing board on the budget to find ways to absorb the extra tax increase. But tax rates need to be adopted by May 15.“It would have cost us so much more in staff time,” said Besso.Besso says she is aware that council could face some backlash from residents.“If there was a huge outcry, then we’d have to eat crow.”However some homeowners are getting a bit of a break this year as the provincial Home Owner Grant Program is being increased with an additional $200 credit which will decrease their overall tax bill.

Mixed messages

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 13, 2011 1:00 AM
Bob Spiers voting against a budget is as predictable as Charlie Sheen doing something stupid.  In fact Spiers, even acknowledged his track record Monday when he opposed the 2011 financial plan, which includes a 0.24 per cent hike in property taxes.  “I’ve never seen a city budget yet that I’ve liked. We could have done better,” he said of his personal goal of something under zero.  But what Spiers did next certainly raised some eyebrows.  At the same time that he was reiterating his concerns about the process, he was openly encouraging the rest of council to approve the document because of the looming deadline to have a budget in  place under provincial legislation.  Not sure of what he had heard, Coun. Shawn Lee got Spiers to reiterate his position.  Lee, who has developed a reputation for being calm and controlled, was less than impressed.  “You can always vote against something when you know the rest of council is going to vote for it,” he told me in direct reference to Spiers.  Mayor Wayne Lippert was caught off guard by Spiers’ approach.  “It was an interesting take on things,” he said.  Ultimately, there was nothing wrong with Spiers opposing the budget, particularly if he believes some of the revenue figures aren’t accurate and more pencil sharpening could be done.  But how does he reconcile those views with the fact that he urged his colleagues to give final adoption to the financial plan?  If he truly was concerned about the financial implications on taxpayers, he would have thrown out a tabling motion, called for the budget to be reopened and the midnight oil burned to meet the legislative deadline of mid-May.  It’s unlikely a seconder would materialize for such a motion and the budget would have still received final blessing. But at least Spiers could claim he had done everything possible for taxpayers.  It would have been abundantly clear who voted to hike taxes — even if it’s 0.24 per cent and will only probably translate into a couple of extra bucks for the average home.  Instead, Spiers’ rallying of the troops behind the budget makes one wonder where he actually stands.